Sources to Asharq Al-Awsat: Hamas Submits Response to Mladenov Amendments, Expects Rejection

Hamas has delivered its response to amendments proposed by Nickolay Mladenov, the UN's high representative for Gaza, to mediators in Cairo. The delegation's arrival on Tuesday marked a significant step in the ongoing talks, though sources indicate a lack of optimism regarding Mladenov's acceptance of the latest changes.

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minor amendments

The amendments submitted by Mladenov on June 17 were described by Hamas sources as "minor" adjustments to a previous reply. However, key demands remain. Hamas has reiterated its insistence on "all dues to be paid to employees who had worked in its government." This directly counters Mladenov's amendment, which had limited this commitment to those employed under the new National Committee for the Administration of Gaza from its inception, rather than covering past employment.

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all dues to be paid to employees who had worked in its government

Regarding the sensitive issue of weapons, Hamas and other Palestinian factions have removed the term "infrastructure" from the relevant clauses. Mladenov had previously defined "infrastructure" to include "tunnels, weapons depots, and weapons manufacturing workshops." The factions now advocate for a "gradual and sequential" implementation of the weapons clause, to be carried out within 14 days of an agreement, and crucially, tied to "a clear political track on Palestinians' self-determination and guarantees of their sovereign rights."

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infrastructure

The response was shaped by recent consultations between Hamas and various factions, aiming for a unified position. However, some sources noted that Hamas did not directly consult all factions before submitting the response, with a meeting planned within two days. The unusual dispatch of a high-level Hamas delegation, led by Zaher Jabarin, was seen by activists as a sign of frustration with Mladenov's repeated amendments. A senior Hamas source stated, "Either we reach new approaches, the mediators find other solutions, or we return to disputes as before," a sentiment echoed by other factional sources who anticipate rejection from both Mladenov and Israel.

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tunnels, weapons depots, and weapons manufacturing workshops